Blog by Beebe Cline

7 Things to Do This Weekend

With just one weekend to go before Thanksgiving, the countdown to turkey day has truly begun! If you’re hosting, your checklist probably feels miles long. But even if you’re visiting family for the holiday, there are still travel plans to nail down and bags to pack. Here are seven ideas to get ready for the big meal, including taking your tablescape for a test run, clearing space in the fridge and getting the powder room guest-ready.

1. Think ahead. If you’ll be traveling for the holiday, double-check your itinerary, pack those bags and pick up a gift for your host. If you’re hosting, here are a few tasks that can help you feel ahead of the game:

Locate the china, vases, candlesticks, roasting pan and any other items you might need for the big meal.

Put sticky notes on the serving dishes you plan to use, and pair up each with serving utensils.

Get as much of your shopping done as possible, and write up a cooking timetable for Thanksgiving day.

Test your tablescape ideas: Can you see over the centerpiece? Is there room for all of the place settings?

3. Make room in the fridge and freezer. That turkey is going to need a lot of space! Make room in your fridge and freezer this weekend by using up the tail end of ingredients and condiments and tossing out anything past its prime.

Move items that don’t really need to be refrigerated (like onions and potatoes) to a cool, dry place to make more room.

4. Spruce up the guest room. Whether you’re expecting overnight guests or just plan to use the guest bed as an impromptu coat check, it’s a good idea to make sure the space is tidied up before people arrive. Vacuum up dust bunnies, open the window to freshen the air and make the bed with clean bedding. A card with your Wi-Fi password and a carafe of water on the nightstand will be much appreciated by overnight guests.

5. Clean the powder room. After wiping down surfaces, restock with TP, fresh hand towels and soap. A scented candle and matchbox (unless there are children around, in which case skip them) and a bud vase of flowers make a nice finishing touch.

6. Check chair glides. Those little pads on the bottoms of chair feet help protect floors from scuffs and scratches and make getting up from the table a less noisy affair. Check each chair and replace glides as needed.

7. Make your house smell amazing. The recipe below features oven-dried orange and apple slices, foraged pine cones, anise pods and chopped cinnamon sticks, and it will make your house smell like a woodsy apple pie.

Don’t feel like making your own potpourri? A pot of apple cider simmering on the stove not only makes a delicious afternoon treat, but makes your house smell insanely good.